Methods And Systems For Providing Aerial Assistance

ABSTRACT

Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to a supply request. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location; (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location; (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area; and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/854,012, filed Sep. 14, 2015, now pending, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,236, filed Nov. 10, 2013, bothof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and forall purposes.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Certain situations call for critical devices and/or deliveries to betransported to a scene of a situation where there is a need of aid. Insuch situations there is typically an urgency regarding thetransportation of the devices and/or deliveries. Such devices and/ordeliveries may comprise fixed-location hardware or may be located on anunmanned vehicle.

Fixed location hardware may include hardware or other items that areaffixed to or kept at a particular location in or on a structure such asa building, sidewalk, street, vehicle, etc. The locations of suchfixed-location hardware may be known and monitored by private orgovernment entities, such as police, fire, school, or otherinstitutions.

An unmanned vehicle, which may also be referred to as an autonomousvehicle, is a vehicle capable of travel without a physically-presenthuman operator. An unmanned vehicle may operate in a remote-controlmode, in an autonomous mode, or in a partially autonomous mode.

When an unmanned vehicle operates in a remote-control mode, a pilot ordriver that is at a remote location can control the unmanned vehicle viacommands that are sent to the unmanned vehicle via a wireless link. Whenthe unmanned vehicle operates in autonomous mode, the unmanned vehicletypically moves based on pre-programmed navigation waypoints, dynamicautomation systems, or a combination of these. Further, some unmannedvehicles can operate in both a remote-control mode and an autonomousmode, and in some instances may do so simultaneously.

Various types of unmanned vehicles exist for various differentenvironments. For example, unmanned vehicles exist for operation in theair, on the ground, underwater, and in space. Unmanned vehicles alsoexist for hybrid operations in which multi-environment use is possible.Examples of hybrid unmanned vehicles include an amphibious craft that iscapable of operation on land as well as on water or a floatplane that iscapable of landing on water as well as on land.

SUMMARY

Methods and systems are provided for fixed-location hardware or unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide support for a particular situation.Alert devices associated with the fixed-location hardware or the UAVsmay be configured for communications with remote devices so that medicalor other emergency or disaster relief support can communicate with andissue alerts through the alert devices. Accordingly, when eitherfixed-location hardware is within an approximate target area associatedwith a situation, or when a UAV reaches the predetermined approximatetarget location that is associated with a situation, the fixed-locationhardware or the UAV may include an alert device that is activated toissue an alert to inform individuals near the alert device of thesituation and provide instructions regarding what to do with thefixed-location hardware, the UAV, and/or any associated supplies. Themethods and systems described herein allow for any individual withinearshot or viewing capability of an alert device to move to the alertdevice, and determine (with help of instructions issued via the alertdevice) what to do with any associated supplies to come to the aid ofthose in need at the situation. The individuals do not need to have asubscription or other membership-type service to receive an alert,simply being in the vicinity of the alert allows an individual toparticipate in the transportation and operation of critical supplies.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B are simplified illustrations of unmanned aerialvehicles, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a support system,according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations of example alert devices onfixed-location hardware.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a support system,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of anunmanned aerial vehicle, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a scenario in which example methods couldbe implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary methods and systems are described herein. It should beunderstood that the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or featuredescribed herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments orfeatures. More generally, the embodiments described herein are not meantto be limiting. It will be readily understood that certain aspects ofthe disclosed systems and methods can be arranged and combined in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are contemplatedherein.

I. OVERVIEW

Embodiments described herein may relate to and/or may be implemented ina system in which fixed-location hardware or unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) are configured to provide support for a particular situation.

In an illustrative embodiment, a medical or other emergency or disasterrelief support system (“support system”) may include support hardwarethat is maintained at a particular location for medical, emergency, ordisaster relief use (“fixed-location hardware”). Alert devicesassociated with the fixed-location hardware may be configured forcommunications with remote devices so that medical or other emergency ordisaster relief support can communicate with and issue alerts throughthe alert devices.

In another illustrative embodiment, a medical or other emergency ordisaster relief support system (“support system”) may include a fleet ofUAVs that are distributed throughout a geographic area, such as a city.The support system may be configured for communications with remotedevices, such as mobile phones, so that medical or other emergency ordisaster relief support can be requested by a person in need of suchsupport (or by others on behalf of a person in need). The support systemcan then dispatch the appropriate UAV or UAVs to the scene of thesituation in order to provide support. Alert devices associated with theUAVs may be remotely controlled or pre-activated to issue one or morealerts, notifying bystanders of the presence of the UAV and/or itsassociated contents.

In particular, a support system may include a fleet with a number ofdifferent types of UAVs, which are configured for different situations.As such, an illustrative support system may be configured to identify orclassify the particular type of situation that is occurring, to selectthe appropriate UAV from those that are available, and to dispatch theselected UAV to the scene of the situation.

For some situations it may not be feasible to install fixed-locationhardware at or navigate a UAV to the exact location of a medicalsituation. The fixed-location hardware may be determined to be locatedwithin an approximate target location but not exactly at the scene ofthe situation. In the case of a UAV, if GPS coordinates are reported,the reported GPS coordinates may, for various reasons, be somewhatinaccurate. In another example, the precise scene of the situation maybe known but may not be immediately accessible by either the UAV or thefixed-location hardware, wherein the UAV or fixed-location hardwarecontents may need to be removed and transported by an individual to thescene of the situation.

To illustrate, consider a scenario where a person is having a heartattack in a stadium. In this scenario, GPS location information may onlyget a UAV so close to the person's actual location in the stadium; tothe entrance of the stadium, for example. The UAV may not be able toenter the stadium and may have to land at the entrance of the stadium.Using the same scenario, fixed-location hardware may be present on awall within the stadium and would need to be transported from the wallto the person's actual location in the stadium.

Accordingly, when either fixed-location hardware is within anapproximate target area associated with a situation, or when a UAVreaches the predetermined approximate target location that is associatedwith a situation, the fixed-location hardware or the UAV may include analert device that is activated to draw sensory attention to thefixed-location hardware or the UAV, wherein sensory attention comprisesissuing one or more alerts to individuals within audio and/or visualproximity the alert device of the situation. The alert device may alsoprovide instructions regarding what to do with the fixed-locationhardware, the UAV, and/or any associated supplies. For example, such analert device may comprise an automated audio (e.g., a loud noise, suchas a repeated beep, honk, or a continuous siren) alert. In anotherexample, the fixed-location hardware or the UAV may comprise anautomated visual (e.g., a repeated light or a beacon of light emittedfrom the UAV) instead of or in addition to an audio alert. The audioalert may also comprise audio or visual instructions informingbystanders of a type of situation and urging the bystanders to pick upthe fixed-location hardware, the UAV, or associated supplies, and takethe desired items to the scene of the situation. The alert device may beoperated remotely, or may be pre-programmed to activate one or morealerts at specified times or after the lapse of a time interval.

For instance, an alert may be pre-set to automatically and autonomouslybegin upon activation of a trigger. Such a trigger may be a UAV touchingground, for example. In another example, a trigger may comprise the UAVreaching a target location. Alternatively, or as a fallback processshould the automatic alert not begin, the UAV might implement processthat allows for full or partial control of the UAV by a remote operator,so that the remote operator can issue one or more of the alertsdescribed above.

Such alert devices and associated methods and systems for navigating toan emergency situation are beneficial for a number of reasons, forexample, to deliver critical supplies to the scene of a situation asefficiently as possible. The methods and systems described herein allowfor any bystander within earshot or viewing capability of an alertdevice to move to the alert device, and determine (with help ofinstructions issued via the alert device) what to do with any associatedsupplies to come to the aid of those in need at the situation. Thebystanders do not need to have a subscription or other membership-typeservice to receive an alert, simply being in the vicinity of the alertallows a bystander to participate in the transportation and operation ofcritical supplies. In this manner, even if medically-trainedprofessionals or authorities such as police, firemen, and the like, arenot nearby a scene of a situation, the delivery of urgently neededassistance by untrained bystanders who are near the scene of thesituation can be accomplished. The methods and systems described hereinmay prevent the passage of critical seconds, minutes, or even hoursbefore professionals or authorities may be able to arrive at the sceneof the situation to deliver assistance.

It should be understood that the above embodiments, and otherembodiments described herein, are provided for explanatory purposes, andare not intended to be limiting.

Furthermore, the term “situation” as used herein should be understood toinclude any situation to which government or private entity, such as apolice department, a fire department, and/or an emergency medicalservices (EMS) entity, might dispatch its personnel. For example, anemergency situation to which a police car, fire truck, or ambulancemight be dispatched may be considered a medical situation for purposesof this disclosure. Medical support may not be required at suchemergency situations (e.g., when police are sent to the scene of anon-violent crime). Further, some non-emergency situations to which apolice car, fire truck, ambulance, or the like might be dispatched mayalso be considered a situation for purposes of this disclosure. Thus,while exemplary embodiments may be described as being implemented tohelp provide emergency or medical support at the scene of a situation,those skilled in the art will understand that the fixed-locationhardware, UAVs, and/or other aspects of the embodiments that areexplicitly described herein can also apply in non-medical,non-emergency, and/or non-disaster relief applications.

II. ILLUSTRATIVE UNMANNED VEHICLES

The term “unmanned aerial vehicle,” as used in this disclosure, refersto any autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle that is capable ofperforming some functions without a physically-present human pilot.Examples of flight-related functions may include, but are not limitedto, sensing its environment or operating in the air without a need forinput from an operator, among others.

A UAV may be autonomous or semi-autonomous. For instance, some functionscould be controlled by a remote human operator, while other functionsare carried out autonomously. Further, a UAV may be configured to allowa remote operator to take over functions that can otherwise becontrolled autonomously by the UAV. Yet further, a given type offunction may be controlled remotely at one level of abstraction andperformed autonomously at another level of abstraction. For example, aremote operator could control high level navigation decisions for a UAV,such as by specifying that the UAV should travel from one location toanother (e.g., from the city hall in Palo Alto to the city hall in SanFrancisco), while the UAV's navigation system autonomously controls morefine-grained navigation decisions, such as the specific route to takebetween the two locations, specific flight controls to achieve the routeand avoid obstacles while navigating the route, and so on. Otherexamples are also possible.

A UAV can be of various forms. For example, a UAV may take the form of arotorcraft such as a helicopter or multicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, ajet aircraft, a ducted fan aircraft, a lighter-than-air dirigible suchas a blimp or steerable balloon, a tail-sitter aircraft, a glideraircraft, and/or an ornithopter, among other possibilities. Further, theterms “drone”, “unmanned aerial vehicle system” (“UAVS”), or “unmannedaerial system” (“UAS”) may also be used to refer to a UAV.

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a UAV, according to an exampleembodiment. In particular, FIG. 1 shows an example of a rotorcraft 100that is commonly referred to as a multicopter. Multicopter 100 may alsobe referred to as a quadcopter, as it includes four rotors 110. Itshould be understood that example embodiments may involve rotorcraftwith more or less rotors than multicopter 100. For example, a helicoptertypically has two rotors. Other examples with three or more rotors arepossible as well. Herein, the term “multicopter” refers to anyrotorcraft having more than two rotors, and the term “helicopter” refersto rotorcraft having two rotors.

Referring to multicopter 100 in greater detail, the four rotors 110provide propulsion and maneuverability for the multicopter 100. Morespecifically, each rotor 110 includes blades that are attached to amotor 120. Configured as such the rotors may allow the multicopter 100to take off and land vertically, to maneuver in any direction, and/or tohover. Furthermore, the pitch of the blades may be adjusted as a groupand/or differentially, and may allow a multicopter 110 to performthree-dimensional aerial maneuvers such as an upside-down hover, acontinuous tail-down “tic-toc,” loops, loops with pirouettes,stall-turns with pirouette, knife-edge, immelmann, slapper, andtraveling flips, among others. When the pitch of all blades is adjustedto perform such aerial maneuvering, this may be referred to as adjustingthe “collective pitch” of the multicopter 100. Blade-pitch adjustmentmay be particularly useful for rotorcraft with substantial inertia inthe rotors and/or drive train, but is not limited to such rotorcraft.

Additionally or alternatively, multicopter 100 may propel and maneuveritself adjust the rotation rate of the motors, collectively ordifferentially. This technique may be particularly useful for smallelectric rotorcraft with low inertia in the motors and/or rotor system,but is not limited to such rotorcraft.

Multicopter 100 also includes a central enclosure 130 with a hinged lid135. The central enclosure may contain, e.g., control electronics suchas an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and/or an electronic speedcontroller, batteries, other sensors, and/or a payload, among otherpossibilities.

The illustrative multicopter 100 also includes landing gear 140 toassist with controlled take-offs and landings. In other embodiments,multicopters and other types of UAVs without landing gear are alsopossible.

In a further aspect, multicopter 100 includes rotor protectors 150. Suchrotor protectors 150 can serve multiple purposes, such as protecting therotors 110 from damage if the multicopter 100 strays too close to anobject, protecting the multicopter 100 structure from damage, andprotecting nearby objects from being damaged by the rotors 110. Itshould be understood that in other embodiments, multicopters and othertypes of UAVs without rotor protectors are also possible. Further, rotorprotectors of different shapes, sizes, and function are possible,without departing from the scope of the invention.

A multicopter 100 may control the direction and/or speed of its movementby controlling its pitch, roll, yaw, and/or altitude. To do so,multicopter 100 may increase or decrease the speeds at which the rotors110 spin. For example, by maintaining a constant speed of three rotors110 and decreasing the speed of a fourth rotor, the multicopter 100 canroll right, roll left, pitch forward, or pitch backward, depending uponwhich motor has its speed decreased. Specifically, the multicopter mayroll in the direction of the motor with the decreased speed. As anotherexample, increasing or decreasing the speed of all rotors 110simultaneously can result in the multicopter 100 increasing ordecreasing its altitude, respectively. As yet another example,increasing or decreasing the speed of rotors 110 that are turning in thesame direction can result in the multicopter 100 performing a yaw-leftor yaw-right movement. These are but a few examples of the differenttypes of movement that can be accomplished by independently orcollectively adjusting the RPM and/or the direction that rotors 110 arespinning.

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a UAV, according to an exampleembodiment. In particular, FIG. 2 shows an example of a tail-sitter UAV200. In the illustrated example, the tail-sitter UAV 200 has fixed wings202 to provide lift and allow the UAV to glide horizontally (e.g., alongthe x-axis, in a position that is approximately perpendicular to theposition shown in FIG. 2). However, the fixed wings 202 also allow thetail-sitter UAV 200 take off and land vertically on its own.

For example, at a launch site, tail-sitter UAV 200 may be positionedvertically (as shown) with fins 204 and/or wings 202 resting on theground and stabilizing the UAV in the vertical position. The tail-sitterUAV 200 may then take off by operating propellers 206 to generate theupward thrust (e.g., a thrust that is generally along the y-axis). Onceat a suitable altitude, the tail-sitter UAV 200 may use its flaps 208 toreorient itself in a horizontal position, such that the fuselage 210 iscloser to being aligned with the x-axis than the y-axis. Positionedhorizontally, the propellers 206 may provide forward thrust so that thetail-sitter UAV 200 can fly in a similar manner as a typical airplane.

Variations on the illustrated tail-sitter UAV 200 are possible. Forinstance, tail-sitters UAVs with more or less propellers, or thatutilize a ducted fan or multiple ducted fans, are also possible.Further, different wing configurations with more wings (e.g., an“x-wing” configuration with four wings), with less wings, or even withno wings, are also possible. More generally, it should be understoodthat other types of tail-sitter UAVs and variations on the illustratedtail-sitter UAV 200 are also possible.

As noted above, some embodiments may involve other types of UAVs, inaddition or in the alternative to multicopters. For instance, FIGS. 3Aand 3B are simplified illustrations of other types of UAVs, according toexample embodiments.

In particular, FIG. 3A shows an example of a fixed-wing aircraft 300,which may also be referred to as an airplane, an aeroplane, or simply aplane. A fixed-wing aircraft 300, as the name implies, has stationarywings 302 that generate lift based on the wing shape and the vehicle'sforward airspeed. This wing configuration is different from arotorcraft's configuration, which produces lift through rotating rotorsabout a fixed mast, and an ornithopter's configuration, which produceslift by flapping wings.

FIG. 3A depicts some common structures used in a fixed-wing aircraft300. In particular, fixed-wing aircraft 300 includes a fuselage 304, twohorizontal wings 302 with an airfoil-shaped cross section to produce anaerodynamic force, a vertical stabilizer 306 (or fin) to stabilize theplane's yaw (turn left or right), a horizontal stabilizer 308 (alsoreferred to as an elevator or tailplane) to stabilize pitch (tilt up ordown), landing gear 310, and a propulsion unit 312, which can include amotor, shaft, and propeller.

FIG. 3B shows an example of an aircraft 350 with a propeller in a pusherconfiguration. The term “pusher” refers to the fact that the propulsionunit 358 is mounted at the back of the aircraft and “pushes” the vehicleforward, in contrast to the propulsion unit being mounted at the frontof the aircraft. Similar to the description provided for FIG. 3A, FIG.3B depicts common structures used in the pusher plane: a fuselage 352,two horizontal wings 354, vertical stabilizers 356, and a propulsionunit 358, which can include a motor, shaft, and propeller.

UAVs can be launched in various ways, using various types of launchsystems (which may also be referred to as deployment systems). A verysimple way to launch a UAV is a hand launch. To perform a hand launch, auser holds a portion of the aircraft, preferably away from the spinningrotors, and throws the aircraft into the air while contemporaneouslythrottling the propulsion unit to generate lift.

Rather than using a hand launch procedure in which the person launchingthe vehicle is exposed to risk from the quickly spinning propellers, astationary or mobile launch station can be utilized. For instance, alaunch system can include supports, angled and inclined rails, and abackstop. The aircraft begins the launch system stationary on the angledand inclined rails and launches by sufficiently increasing the speed ofthe propeller to generate forward airspeed along the incline of thelaunch system. By the end of the angled and inclined rails, the aircraftcan have sufficient airspeed to generate lift. As another example, alaunch system may include a rail gun or cannon, either of which maylaunch a UAV by thrusting the UAV into flight. A launch system of thistype may launch a UAV quickly and/or may launch a UAV far towards theUAV's destination. Other types of launch systems may also be utilized.

In some cases, there may be no separate launch system for a UAV, as aUAV may be configured to launch itself. For example, a “tail sitter” UAVtypically has fixed wings to provide lift and allow the UAV to glide,but also is configured to take off and land vertically on its own. Otherexamples of self-launching UAVs are also possible.

In a further aspect, various other types of unmanned vehicles may beutilized to provide remote emergency, disaster, or medical support. Suchvehicles may include, for example, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs),unmanned space vehicles (USVs), and/or unmanned underwater vehicles(UUVs). A UGV may be a vehicle which is capable of sensing its ownenvironment and navigating surface-based terrain without input from adriver. Examples of UGVs include watercraft, cars, trucks, buggies,motorcycles, treaded vehicles, and retrieval duck decoys, among others.A UUV is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its own environment andnavigating underwater on its own, such as a submersible vehicle. Othertypes of unmanned vehicles are possible as well.

III. ILLUSTRATIVE FIXED-LOCATION HARDWARE

The term “fixed-location hardware,” as used in this disclosure, refersto any device or assembly that is maintained at a particular locationfor medical, emergency, or disaster relief use. Fixed location hardwaremay be configured to be physically accessed and transported byindividuals, machines, and the like for use in providing aid for asituation. Unlike a UAV as described herein, fixed-location hardware isgenerally not configured to move from one location to another via remotecontrol.

Examples of fixed-location hardware may include, but are not limited to,fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, automatic external defibrillators(AED), and emergency supplies, such as containers of water, food, andfirst aid kits, among others.

Fixed location hardware may be networked to one or more alert devices,to other fixed-location hardware, and/or to a government or privateentity, such as a police department, a fire department, and/or anemergency medical services (EMS) entity, for example.

IV. ILLUSTRATIVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

As noted above, fixed-location hardware and/or UAVs may be used toprovide remote medical, emergency, disaster relief, or other suchsupport.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a support system,according to an example embodiment.

In an illustrative support system 400, an access system 402 may allowfor interaction with a network of support fixed-location hardware 404.In some embodiments, an access system 402 may be a computing system thatallows for human-controlled activation of an alert device 406 attachedto the fixed-location hardware 404.

As a specific example, access system 402 could be a computing system ata police station or a fire station. Accordingly, a human operator at thepolice or fire station may receive an indication that a situation existsfrom a remote device 408 (e.g., a phone call, text message, etc.). Theoperator may then determine that medical and/or emergency support isappropriate and utilize access system 402 to activate the alert device406 in an effort to draw attention to the alert device 406 andassociated fixed-location hardware 404. For instance, an operator, upona determination that medical and/or emergency support is appropriate,may utilize access system 402 to activate the alert device 406 affixedto or in communication with the fixed-location hardware 404 to alert anyperson or persons within earshot of the alert device (“bystanders”) of asituation and instruct the bystanders to take and/or operate one or morecomponents of the fixed-location hardware.

The alert device 406 may be configured with one or more speakers 409 toissue an audio (e.g., a loud noise, such as a repeated beep, honk, or acontinuous siren) alert. Such audio alerts are generally configured tocomprise a volume sufficient to attract the attention of a person who isin the vicinity of the alert device 406. In another example, alertdevice 406 may be configured to issue a visual (e.g., a repeated,flashing, or blinking light, or a beacon emitted from the alert device)alert instead of or in addition to an audio alert. The visual alert isdesigned to attract the attention of a person who is in the vicinity ofthe alert device 406. Both audio and visual alerts may be usedsimultaneously, or in an alternating pattern, for example. The alertsmay expire at the end of a pre-determined time interval, upon theoccurrence of a trigger event, and/or upon remote control by an operatorof the access system 402. An example trigger event may be a detectedchange in location of the alert device, such as when a person picks upand transports the alert device to a scene of a situation.

The alert device 406 may include or otherwise provide a user interface(UI) 407 via which one or more persons can view information, such asinstructions informing of a type or nature of a situation and urging anybystanders to pick up the fixed-location hardware 404 and/or anyassociated support items and transport the support items to a desiredlocation, such as a scene of a situation. The instructions may alsoinclude information regarding how to operate support items to providesupport at the scene of a situation. A user may thus be able to interactwith the alert device 406 via the UI 407.

Instructions such as those described above may instead and/or inaddition be delivered to bystanders in an audio manner, over the one ormore speakers 409 on the alert device 406.

In an illustrative arrangement, central dispatch system 410 may be aserver or group of servers, which is configured to receive dispatchmessages requests and/or dispatch instructions from access system 402. Acentral dispatch system 410 may be further configured to route suchrequests or instructions to local dispatch systems 412. To provide suchfunctionality, central dispatch system 410 may communicate with accesssystem 402 via a data network, such as the Internet or a private networkthat is established for communications between access systems andautomated dispatch systems.

In some embodiments, when central dispatch system 410 receives a requestfor medical support from an access system 402, central dispatch system410 may select a specific alert device 406 associated with afixed-location hardware 404 to activate. The central dispatch system 410may accordingly instruct the local dispatch system 412 that isassociated with the selected alert device 406 to activate the selectedalert device 406, or to send instructions to the alert device 406 toactivate the alert device 406.

As a specific example, central dispatch system 410 may receive a requestfor emergency support that indicates a certain type of situation and alocation where the situation is occurring. Take, for instance, a requestfor support in a building that has caught fire. In this scenario, thecentral dispatch system 410 may evaluate the locations of various alertdevices 406 associated with the appropriate fixed-location hardware(e.g., fire extinguishers or fire hydrants) to select the closestavailable alert device 406 to the building with the fire.

In an example configuration, a local dispatch system 412 may beimplemented in a computing system at the same location as the alertdevices 406 that it controls. In other embodiments, a local dispatchsystem 412 could be implemented at a location that is remote from itsassociated alert devices 406.

Numerous variations on and alternatives to the illustrated configurationof medical support system 400 are possible. For example, in someembodiments, a user of a remote device 408 could request medical supportdirectly from a central dispatch system 410. To do so, an applicationmay be implemented on a remote device 408 that allows the user toprovide information regarding a medical situation, and generate and senda data message to request medical support. In such an embodiment,central dispatch system 410 may include automated functionality tohandle requests that are generated by such an application, evaluate suchrequests, and, if appropriate, coordinate with an appropriate localdispatch system 412 to activate an alert device 406.

The remote device 408 may take various forms. Generally, remote device408 may be any device via which a request for medical support can bemade and/or via which a situation that may require or benefit frommedical support can be reported. For instance, remote device 408 may bea mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal computer, orany network-connected computing device. Further, in some instances,remote device 408 may not be a computing device. As an example, astandard telephone, which allows for communication via plain oldtelephone service (POTS), may serve as a remote device 408.

Further, remote device 408 may be configured to communicate with accesssystem 402 via one or more types of communication network(s) 411. Forexample, a remote device 408 could communicate with access system 402(or via a human operator of the access system) by placing a phone callover a POTS network, a cellular network, and/or a data network such asthe Internet. Other types of networks may also be utilized.

Further, in some implementations, some or all of the functionality thatis attributed herein to central dispatch system 410, local dispatchsystem(s) 412, and/or access system 402, could be combined in a singlesystem, implemented in a more complex system, and/or redistributed amongcentral dispatch system 410, local dispatch system(s) 412, and/or accesssystem 402 in various ways.

Yet further, while each local dispatch system 412 is shown as having oneassociated device 406 and fixed-location hardware 404, a given localdispatch system 412 may have more associated devices 406 andfixed-location hardware 404. Similarly, while central dispatch system410 is shown as being in communication with two local dispatch systems412, a central dispatch system may be in communication with more or lesslocal dispatch systems 412.

FIG. 5a is an illustration of an example implementation of an alertdevice 502 on an automatic external defibrillator (AED) 504. The alertdevice 502 comprises a wireless radio with a speaker 506, a display 508,and a visual alert system 510. The display 508 may comprise acomputerized LED or LCD display, and may be configured to displayinstructions to a user (as shown), and/or to provide for userinteraction via a keyboard or the like. The alert device may alsocomprise a power source (not shown). The power source may comprise abattery, for example. Other sources of power may also be contemplated.The speaker 506 may issue audio alerts such as those described herein.The visual alert system 510 may issue a bright light or other visualalert, such as those described herein.

The alert device 502 may be removably attachable to AED 504, such aswith screws, bolts, an adhesive, Velcro®, or a number of otherattachment mechanisms. In other embodiments, the alert device 502 may beintegral with AED 504 or a packaging of AED 504. The alert device 502may be networked to a system such as system 400, and may be remotelycontrolled via such a system to activate one or more audio and/or visualalerts.

FIG. 5b is an illustration of an example implementation of an alertdevice 550 on a fire extinguisher 552. The alert device 550 may be thesame as or similar to the alert device 502 described with reference toFIG. 5A, may be networked to a system such as system 400, and may beremotely controlled to activate one or more alerts. Although the alertdevice 550 is shown in FIG. 5B to be attached to the gas tank portion554 of the fire extinguisher 552, the alert device 550 may be present onother portions of the fire extinguisher 552, such as the handle 556, forexample. In instances where the fire extinguisher 552 is maintainedwithin a casing, the alert device 552 may be attached or otherwiseaffixed to the casing instead of the extinguisher itself.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a support system 600,according to an example embodiment.

In an illustrative support system 600, an access system 602 may allowfor interaction with, control of, and/or utilization of a network ofsupport UAVs 604. In some embodiments, an access system 602 may be acomputing system that allows for human-controlled dispatch of UAVs 604.The UAVs 604 each include an alert device (AD) 607. Each AD 607 mayinclude a user interface (UI) and one or more speakers (not shown inFIG. 6), as shown and described to issue alerts and instructions such asfor the alert device 407 of FIG. 4. The ADs 607 may be configured forremote communication and/or control by the access system 602.

As a specific example, access system 602 could be a computing system ata police station or a fire station. Accordingly, a human operator at thepolice or fire station may receive an indication that a situation existsfrom a remote device 606 (e.g., a phone call, text message, etc.). Theoperator may then determine that medical and/or emergency support isappropriate and utilize access system 602 to dispatch one or more UAVsto provide the appropriate medical support.

Access system 602 may provide for remote operation of a UAV 604 andassociated AD 607. For instance, an access system 602 may allow anoperator to control the flight of a UAV 604 and may allow an operator tocontrol the activation and operation of one or more alerts of an AD 607.As a specific example, an operator may use an access system to dispatcha UAV 604 to the scene of a medical situation. The UAV 604 may thenautonomously navigate to the general area where the medical situation isbelieved to exist (e.g., a stadium). At this point, the operator may usethe access system 602 to take over control of the UAV 604, and navigatethe UAV closer to the particular person in need of medical support. Theoperator may then activate one or more alerts through the AD 607 to drawthe attention of any bystanders to pick up and transport the UAV and/orassociated supplies to the precise scene of the situation (e.g., to theperson's seat within the stadium). Other examples are also possible.

In an illustrative embodiment, UAVs 604 may take various forms. Forexample, each UAV 604 may be a UAV such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1,2, 3A, and 3B. However, medical support system 600 may also utilizeother types of UAVs without departing from the scope of the invention.In some implementations, all UAVs 604 may be of the same or a similarconfiguration. However, in other implementations, UAVs 604 may include anumber of different types of UAVs. For instance, UAVs 604 may include anumber of types of UAVs, with each type of UAV being configured for adifferent type or types of medical support.

A remote device 606 may take various forms. Generally, a remote device606 may be any device via which a request for medical support can bemade and/or via which a situation that may require or benefit frommedical support can be reported. For instance, a remote device 606 maybe a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal computer,or any network-connected computing device. Further, in some instances,remote device 606 may not be a computing device. As an example, astandard telephone, which allows for communication via plain oldtelephone service (POTS), may serve as a remote device 606.

Further, a remote device 606 may be configured to communicate withaccess system 602 via one or more types of communication network(s) 614.For example, a remote device 606 could communicate with access system602 (or via a human operator of the access system) by placing a phonecall over a POTS network, a cellular network, and/or a data network suchas the Internet. Other types of networks may also be utilized.

As noted above, a remote device 606 may be configured to allow a user torequest medical support. For example, a person may use their mobilephone, a POTS phone, or a VoIP phone, to place an emergency call (e.g.,a 9-1-1 call) and request that medical support be provided at the sceneof an accident. Further, note that a request for medical support neednot be explicit. For instance, a person may place a 9-1-1 call to reportan emergency situation. When the 9-1-1 operator receives such a call,the operator may evaluate the information that is provided and decidethat medical support is appropriate. Accordingly, the operator may usean access system 602 to dispatch a UAV 604.

In a further aspect, a remote device 606 may be configured to determineand/or provide an indication of its own location. For example, remotedevice 606 may include a GPS system so that it can include GPS locationinformation (e.g., GPS coordinates) in a communication to an accesssystem 602 and/or to a dispatch system such as central dispatch system608. As another example, a remote device 606 may use a technique thatinvolves triangulation (e.g., between base stations in a cellularnetwork) to determine its location. Alternatively, another system suchas a cellular network may use a technique that involves triangulation todetermine the location of a remote device 606, and then send a locationmessage to the remote device 606 to inform the remote device of itslocation. Other location-determination techniques are also possible.

In an illustrative arrangement, central dispatch system 608 may be aserver or group of servers, which is configured to receive dispatchmessages requests and/or dispatch instructions from an access system602. Such dispatch messages may request or instruct the central dispatchsystem 608 to coordinate the deployment of UAVs for remote medicalsupport. A central dispatch system 608 may be further configured toroute such requests or instructions to local dispatch systems 610. Toprovide such functionality, central dispatch system 608 may communicatewith access system 602 via a data network, such as the Internet or aprivate network that is established for communications between accesssystems and automated dispatch systems.

In the illustrated configuration, central dispatch system 608 may beconfigured to coordinate the dispatch of UAVs 604 from a number ofdifferent local dispatch systems 610. As such, central dispatch system608 may keep track of which UAVs 604 are located at which local dispatchsystems 610, which UAVs 604 are currently available for deployment,and/or which medical situation or situations each of the UAVs 604 isconfigured for. Additionally or alternatively, each local dispatchsystem 610 may be configured to track which of its associated UAVs 604are currently available for deployment and/or which medical situation orsituations each of its associated UAVs is configured for.

In some embodiments, when central dispatch system 608 receives a requestfor medical support from an access system 602, central dispatch system608 may select a specific UAV 604 to dispatch. The central dispatchsystem 608 may accordingly instruct the local dispatch system 610 thatis associated with the selected UAV to dispatch the selected UAV. Thelocal dispatch system 610 may then operate its associated deploymentsystem 612 to launch the selected UAV.

As a specific example, central dispatch system 608 may receive a requestfor medical support that indicates a certain type of medical situationand a location where the situation is occurring. Take, for instance, arequest for medical support at the home of a person who appears to havesuffered from cardiac arrest. In this scenario, the central dispatchsystem 608 may evaluate the fleet of UAVs 604 to select the closestavailable UAV to the person's home that is configured to provide medicalsupport when a heart attack has occurred. Alternatively, the centraldispatch system 608 may select an available UAV that is within a certaindistance from the person's home (which may or may not be the closest),and which is configured to provide medical support when cardiac arresthas occurred.

In other embodiments, a central dispatch system 608 may forward arequest for medical support to a local dispatch system 610 that is nearthe location where the support is requested, and leave the selection ofa particular UAV 604 to the local dispatch system 610. For instance, ina variation on the above example, central dispatch system 608 mayforward a request for medical support at the home of a person whoappears to have suffered from a heart attack to the local dispatchsystem 610 that is closest to, or within a certain distance from, theperson's home. Upon receipt of the request, the local dispatch system610 may then determine which of its associated UAVs is configured toprovide medical support to a heart-attack victim, and deploy this UAV.

In an example configuration, a local dispatch system 610 may beimplemented in a computing system at the same location as the deploymentsystem or systems 612 that it controls. For example, in someembodiments, a local dispatch system 610 could be implemented by acomputing system at a building, such as a fire station, where thedeployment systems 612 and UAVs 604 that are associated with theparticular local dispatch system 610 are also located. In otherembodiments, a local dispatch system 610 could be implemented at alocation that is remote to its associated deployment systems 612 andUAVs 604.

Upon arriving at a target location, an AD 607 on UAV 604 may beactivated by an operator via access system 602 to issue one or morealerts (such as audio and visual alerts described with reference to FIG.4). Alternatively, AD 607 may have one or more alarms that are pre-setto activate upon the occurrence of a trigger event, such as UAV 604touching ground, for example. Other trigger events, such as UAV 604reaching a predetermined area or location, may also be used. The alertsmay expire at the end of a pre-determined time interval, upon theoccurrence of a trigger event, and/or upon remote control by an operatorof the access system 602. An example trigger event may be a detectedchange in location of the alert device, such as when a person picks upand transports the alert device to a scene of a situation.

Numerous variations on and alternatives to the illustrated configurationof medical support system 600 are possible. For example, in someembodiments, a user of a remote device 606 could request medical supportdirectly from a central dispatch system 608. To do so, an applicationmay be implemented on a remote device 606 that allows the user toprovide information regarding a medical situation, and generate and senda data message to request medical support. Such an application mightalso allow the user to request a particular type of medical support(e.g., by requesting that a UAV deliver a certain kind of medicine). Insuch an embodiment, central dispatch system 608 may include automatedfunctionality to handle requests that are generated by such anapplication, evaluate such requests, and, if appropriate, coordinatewith an appropriate local dispatch system 610 to deploy a UAV.

Further, in some implementations, some or all of the functionality thatis attributed herein to central dispatch system 608, local dispatchsystem(s) 610, access system 602, and/or deployment system(s) 612 couldbe combined in a single system, implemented in a more complex system,and/or redistributed among central dispatch system 608, local dispatchsystem(s) 610, access system 602, and/or deployment system(s) 612 invarious ways.

Yet further, while each local dispatch system 610 is shown as having twoassociated deployment systems, a given local dispatch system 610 mayhave more or less associated deployment systems. Similarly, whilecentral dispatch system 608 is shown as being in communication with twolocal dispatch systems 610, a central dispatch system may be incommunication with more or less local dispatch systems 610.

In a further aspect, a deployment system 612 may take various forms. Ingeneral, a deployment system may take the form of or include a systemfor physically launching a UAV 604. Further, a deployment system 612 maybe configured to launch one particular UAV 604, or to launch multipleUAVs 604. A deployment system 612 may further be configured to provideadditional functions, including for example, diagnostic-relatedfunctions such as verifying system functionality of the UAV, verifyingfunctionality of devices that are housed within a UAV (e.g., such as adefibrillator, a mobile phone, or an HMD), and/or maintaining devices orother items that are housed in the UAV (e.g., by charging adefibrillator, mobile phone, or HMD, or by checking that medicine hasnot expired).

In some embodiments, the deployment systems 612 and their correspondingUAVs 604 (and possibly associated local dispatch systems 610) may bestrategically distributed throughout an area such as a city. Forexample, deployment systems 612 may be located on the roofs of certainmunicipal buildings, such as fire stations, which can thus serve as thedispatch locations for UAVs 604. Fire stations may function well for UAVdispatch, as fire stations tend to be distributed well with respect topopulation density, their roofs tend to be flat, and the use offirehouse roofs as leased spaces for UAV dispatch could further thepublic good. However, deployment systems 612 (and possibly the localdispatch systems 610) may be distributed in other ways, depending uponthe particular implementation.

IV. ILLUSTRATIVE COMPONENTS OF A MEDICAL-SUPPORT UAV

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of a UAV600, according to an example embodiment. UAV 700 may take the form of orbe similar in form to one of the UAVs 100, 200, 300, and 350 shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B. However, a UAV 700 may also take other forms.

UAV 700 may include various types of sensors, and may include acomputing system configured to provide the functionality describedherein. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors of UAV 700 include aninertial measurement unit (IMU) 702, ultrasonic sensor(s) 704, GPS 606,imaging system(s) 708, among other possible sensors and sensing systems.

In the illustrated embodiment, UAV 700 also includes one or moreprocessors 710. A processor 710 may be a general-purpose processor or aspecial purpose processor (e.g., digital signal processors, applicationspecific integrated circuits, etc.). The one or more processors 710 canbe configured to execute computer-readable program instructions 714 thatare stored in the data storage 712 and are executable to provide thefunctionality of a UAV described herein.

The data storage 712 may include or take the form of one or morecomputer-readable storage media that can be read or accessed by at leastone processor 710. The one or more computer-readable storage media caninclude volatile and/or non-volatile storage components, such asoptical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage, which can beintegrated in whole or in part with at least one of the one or moreprocessors 710. In some embodiments, the data storage 712 can beimplemented using a single physical device (e.g., one optical, magnetic,organic or other memory or disc storage unit), while in otherembodiments, the data storage 712 can be implemented using two or morephysical devices.

As noted, the data storage 712 can include computer-readable programinstructions 714 and perhaps additional data, such as diagnostic data ofthe UAV 700. As such, the data storage 714 may include programinstructions to perform or facilitate some or all of the UAVfunctionality described herein. For instance, in the illustratedembodiment, program instructions 714 include a navigation module 715 andone or more medical-support modules 716.

A. Sensors

In an illustrative embodiment, IMU 702 may include both an accelerometerand a gyroscope, which may be used together to determine the orientationof the UAV 700. In particular, the accelerometer can measure theorientation of the vehicle with respect to earth, while the gyroscopemeasures the rate of rotation around an axis. IMUs are commerciallyavailable in low-cost, low-power packages. For instance, an IMU 702 maytake the form of or include a miniaturized MicroElectroMechanical System(MEMS) or a NanoElectroMechanical System (NEMS). Other types of IMUs mayalso be utilized.

An IMU 702 may include other sensors, in addition to accelerometers andgyroscopes, which may help to better determine position and/or help toincrease autonomy of the UAV 700. Two examples of such sensors aremagnetometers and pressure sensors. Other examples are also possible.(Note that a UAV could also include such additional sensors as separatecomponents from an IMU.)

While an accelerometer and gyroscope may be effective at determining theorientation of the UAV 700, slight errors in measurement may compoundover time and result in a more significant error. However, an exampleUAV 700 may be able mitigate or reduce such errors by using amagnetometer to measure direction. One example of a magnetometer is alow-power, digital 3-axis magnetometer, which can be used to realize anorientation independent electronic compass for accurate headinginformation. However, other types of magnetometers may be utilized aswell.

UAV 700 may also include a pressure sensor or barometer, which can beused to determine the altitude of the UAV 700. Alternatively, othersensors, such as sonic altimeters or radar altimeters, can be used toprovide an indication of altitude, which may help to improve theaccuracy of and/or prevent drift of an IMU.

In a further aspect, UAV 700 may include one or more sensors that allowthe UAV to sense objects in the environment. For instance, in theillustrated embodiment, UAV 700 includes ultrasonic sensor(s) 704.Ultrasonic sensor(s) 704 can determine the distance to an object bygenerating sound waves and determining the time interval betweentransmission of the wave and receiving the corresponding echo off anobject. A typical application of an ultrasonic sensor for unmannedvehicles or IMUs is low-level altitude control and obstacle avoidance.An ultrasonic sensor can also be used for vehicles that need to hover ata certain height or need to be capable of detecting obstacles. Othersystems can be used to determine, sense the presence of, and/ordetermine the distance to nearby objects, such as a light detection andranging (LIDAR) system, laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system,and/or an infrared or forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, amongother possibilities.

UAV 700 also includes a GPS receiver 706. The GPS receiver 706 may beconfigured to provide data that is typical of well-known GPS systems,such as the GPS coordinates of the UAV 700. Such GPS data may beutilized by the UAV 700 for various functions. For example, when acaller uses a mobile device to request medical support from a UAV, themobile device may provide its GPS coordinates. As such, the UAV may useits GPS receiver 706 to help navigate to the caller's location, asindicated, at least in part, by the GPS coordinates provided by theirmobile device. Other examples are also possible.

UAV 700 may also include one or more imaging system(s) 708. For example,one or more still and/or video cameras may be utilized by a UAV 700 tocapture image data from the UAV's environment. As a specific example,charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras or complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) cameras can be used with unmannedvehicles. Such imaging sensor(s) 708 have numerous possibleapplications, such as obstacle avoidance, localization techniques,ground tracking for more accurate navigation (e,g., by applying opticalflow techniques to images), video feedback, and/or image recognition andprocessing, among other possibilities.

In a further aspect, UAV 700 may use its one or more imaging system 708to help in determining location. For example, UAV 700 may captureimagery of its environment and compare it to what it expects to see inits environment given current estimated position (e.g., its current GPScoordinates), and refine its estimate of its position based on thiscomparison.

In a further aspect, UAV 700 may include one or more microphones. Suchmicrophones may be configured to capture sound from the UAVsenvironment.

B. Navigation and Location Determination

The navigation module 715 may provide functionality that allows the UAV700 to, e.g., move about in its environment and reach a desiredlocation. To do so, the navigation module 715 may control the altitudeand/or direction of flight by controlling the mechanical features of theUAV that affect flight (e.g., rotors 110 of UAV 100).

In order to navigate the UAV 700 to a target location, a navigationmodule 715 may implement various navigation techniques, such asmap-based navigation and localization-based navigation, for instance.With map-based navigation, the UAV 700 may be provided with a map of itsenvironment, which may then be used to navigate to a particular locationon the map. With localization-based navigation, the UAV 700 may becapable of navigating in an unknown environment using localization.Localization-based navigation may involve a UAV 700 building its own mapof its environment and calculating its position within the map and/orthe position of objects in the environment. For example, as a UAV 700moves throughout its environment, the UAV 700 may continuously uselocalization to update its map of the environment. This continuousmapping process may be referred to as simultaneous localization andmapping (SLAM). Other navigation techniques may also be utilized.

In some embodiments, the navigation module 715 may navigate using atechnique that relies on waypoints. In particular, waypoints are sets ofcoordinates that identify points in physical space. For instance, anair-navigation waypoint may be defined by a certain latitude, longitude,and altitude. Accordingly, navigation module 715 may cause UAV 700 tomove from waypoint to waypoint, in order to ultimately travel to a finaldestination (e.g., a final waypoint in a sequence of waypoints).

The UAV 700 may include a module or device that is able to signal to apasser-by for assistance in either reaching the specific location ordelivering its medical-support items to the medical situation; forexample, by displaying a visual message in a graphic display, playing anaudio message or tone through speakers, flashing a light, or performinga combination of such functions. Such visual or audio message mightindicate that assistance is needed in delivering the UAV 700 to theperson in need, and might provide information to assist the passer-by indelivering the UAV 700 to the person, such a description of the person,the person's name, and/or a description of the person's specificlocation, among other possibilities. This implementation can be usefulin a scenario in which the UAV is unable to use sensory functions oranother location-determination technique to determine the specificlocation of the person.

C. Communication Systems

In a further aspect, UAV 700 includes one or more communication systems720. The communications systems 720 may include one or more wirelessinterfaces and/or one or more wireline interfaces, which allow UAV 700to communicate via one or more networks. Such wireless interfaces mayprovide for communication under one or more wireless communicationprotocols, such as Bluetooth, WiFi (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 protocol),Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX (e.g., an IEEE 802.16 standard), aradio-frequency ID (RFID) protocol, near-field communication (NFC),and/or other wireless communication protocols. Such wireline interfacesmay include an Ethernet interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB)interface, or similar interface to communicate via a wire, a twistedpair of wires, a coaxial cable, an optical link, a fiber-optic link, orother physical connection to a wireline network.

In an example embodiment, a UAV 700 may include communication systems720 that allow for both short-range communication and long-rangecommunication. For example, the UAV 700 may be configured forshort-range communications using Bluetooth and for long-rangecommunications under a CDMA protocol. In such an embodiment, the UAV 700may be configured to function as a “hot spot;” or in other words, as agateway or proxy between a remote support device and one or more datanetworks, such as cellular network and/or the Internet. Configured assuch, the UAV 700 may facilitate data communications that the remotesupport device would otherwise be unable to perform by itself.

For example, UAV 700 may provide a WiFi connection to a remote device,and serve as a proxy or gateway to a cellular service provider's datanetwork, which the UAV might connect to under an LTE or a 3G protocol,for instance. The UAV 700 could also serve as a proxy or gateway to ahigh-altitude balloon network, a satellite network, or a combination ofthese networks, among others, which a remote device might not be able tootherwise access.

D. Power Systems

In a further aspect, UAV 700 may include power system(s) 721. A powersystem 721 may include one or more batteries for providing power to theUAV 700. In one example, the one or more batteries may be rechargeableand each battery may be recharged via a wired connection between thebattery and a power supply and/or via a wireless charging system, suchas an inductive charging system that applies an external time-varyingmagnetic field to an internal battery.

E. Medical-Support Functionality

As noted above, UAV 700 may include one or more medical-support modules716. The one or more medical-support modules 716 include software,firmware, and/or hardware that may help to provide or assist in theprovision of the medical-support functionality described herein.

A UAV 700 may have stored information on an associated alert device,such as ADs 607, that can be provided to a person or persons within ornearby the target location, in order to assist the person or persons intransporting the UAV 700 or contents of the UAV 700 to the scene of asituation to provide medical or other emergency relief care. Part ofassisting the person or persons in transporting the UAV 700 or contentsof the UAV 700 may include the alert device issuing instructions, asdiscussed above. Additionally, the alert device may comprise a video oraudio file with directions regarding where to take the UAV or theassociated medical supplies. The alert device may comprise a video or anaudio file with either instructions for transportation of the UAV 700,instructions for providing support, or both. As another example, analert device may include an interactive program to assist a person inproviding medical support. For instance, an alert device may include anapplication that analyzes the person's speech to detect questionsrelated to the medical situation and/or that provides a text-based userinterface via which the person can ask such questions, and thendetermines and provides answers to such questions.

In some embodiments, an alert device associated with UAV 700 mayfacilitate communication between a layperson and/or medical personnel atthe scene and medical personnel at a remote location. As an example, amedical support module 716 may provide a user interface via which aperson at the scene can use a communication system 720 of the UAV tocommunicate with an emergency medical technician at a remote location,such as described with reference to FIG. 6.

Items that may aid in diagnosing and/or treating a person who needsmedical assistance, or may serve other purposes may include, asexamples: (a) medicines, (b) diagnostic devices, such as a pulseoximeter, blood pressure sensor, or EKG sensor, (c) treatment devices,such as an EpiPen, a first aid kit, or various kinds of defibrillators(e.g., an automated external defibrillator (AED)), (d) food, (e) otherdisaster relief supplies, such as clothing, for example, and/or (f)remote support devices, such as a mobile phone or a head-mountabledevice (HMD), among other possibilities. Note that some items that areelectronic may include one or more batteries to provide power to theitem. In addition or on in the alternative, an item may be integratedwith one or more batteries in the power system 621 for power.

A UAV 700 may employ various systems and configurations in order totransport items to the target location, for further transportation tothe scene of a situation. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a UAV 100 caninclude a compartment 135, in which an item or items may be transported.As another example, the UAV can include a pick-and-place mechanism,which can pick up and hold the item while the UAV is in flight, and thenrelease the item during or after the UAV's descent. As yet anotherexample, a UAV could include an air-bag drop system, a parachute dropsystem, and/or a winch system that is operable from high above a medicalsituation to drop or lower an item or items to the scene of the medicalsituation. In these previous two embodiments, an alert device may bepresent on the item that is released. Other examples are also possible.

In some implementations, a given UAV 700 may include a “package”designed for a particular medical situation (or possibly for aparticular set of medical situations). A package may include one or moreitems for medical support in the particular medical situation, and/orone or more medical-support modules 716 that are designed to providemedical support in the particular medical situation. In some cases, aUAV 700 may include a package that is designed for a particular medicalsituation such as choking, cardiac arrest, shock, asthma, drowning, etc.

A UAV may have an integrated medical-support device. For example, a UAV700 might function as a mobile defibrillator. Thus, rather than carry astand-alone defibrillator that can then be removed from the UAV for use,the UAV itself may function as a defibrillator.

Many other examples and variations on the above examples of UAVs withintegrated medical-support systems and devices are also possible. Forinstance, a medical device may be integrated into the structure of a UAVitself when doing so reduces weight, improves aerodynamics, and/orsimplifies the use of the device by a person at the scene of the medicalsituation. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that amedical-support system or device may be integrated in the structure of aUAV in other situations and for other reasons.

It should be understood that the examples of medical-supportfunctionality that are provided herein are not intended to be limited. AUAV may be configured to provide other types of medical-supportfunctionality without departing from the scope of the invention.

V. ILLUSTRATIVE METHODS

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method 800 according to an exampleembodiment. Method 800 may be implemented by a device in order to alertand instruct one or more individuals near the device to obtain and/oruse an item in a support situation.

Illustrative methods, such as method 800, may be implemented byfixed-location hardware, such as the fixed-location hardware describedin reference to FIG. 4, by a UAV, such as the UAVs described inreference to FIGS. 1 to 3, or by one or more components of suchfixed-location hardware or UAVs. In other embodiments, some or all of anexample method may be carried out by a remote computing device that isin communication with such a device. For example, some or all of anexemplary method may be carried out by a support system, such as by theone or more of the components of the support systems 400 or 600 shown inFIGS. 4 and 6.

Referring to FIG. 8, method 800 involves receiving, by a computingsystem, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location,as shown by block 802. The transmission may be received from a number ofentities, such as those discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4-6. Thesituation may comprise a medical, emergency, disaster, or other type ofsituation discussed herein.

The method 800 then involves the computing system determining anapproximate target area associated with the designated location, asshown by block 804. Various techniques may be used to determine theapproximate target area. Further, the approximate target area may takevarious forms. For example, the approximate target area could beprovided in the form of GPS coordinates, at a certain latitude andlongitude, a street address, and/or a certain place (e.g., a particularbuilding, stadium, landmark, or park), among other possibilities.

In some embodiments, the approximate target area may comprise a circlewith a specified radius, wherein the circle is determined to surroundthe precise scene of a situation.

In other embodiments, the approximate target area may be an estimatedlocation of the person or persons who are likely to benefit from medicalsupport in the given medical situation. For example, if a person who isneed of medical care places an emergency call from their own mobilephone, the approximate target location may be determined to be orotherwise based on the location of their mobile phone.

In other embodiments, the approximate target area may be different fromthe location of the person or persons who are likely to benefit frommedical support. For example, consider a scenario where an emergencymedical technician (EMT) or paramedic is closer to the location of aperson in need of medical support, but the EMT or paramedic does nothave certain medical supplies that are needed for or might improve themedical care that can be provided. In this scenario, a medical supportsystem may dispatch a UAV to the location of the EMT or paramedic inorder to deliver medical supplies to the EMT or paramedic, so that theycan take them with them to the scene of the medical situation. Further,in some cases, the UAV might even be configured to deliver the medicalsupplies to the EMT or paramedic as they travel to the scene of themedical situation. In such case, the approximate target location (e.g.,the location of the EMT or paramedic) may be dynamically updated toreflect the movement of the EMT or paramedic as they travel to thescene.

Further, the method 800 involves the computing system making adetermination that an alert device is located within the approximatetarget area, as shown by block 806. In response, the computing systemexecutes instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert deviceindicating the emergency situation and the designated location of theemergency situation, as shown by block 808.

Note that in an example embodiment, method 800 may be carried outentirely by a UAV. As such, the determination of the target location atblock 802 may simply involve the UAV receiving a data message thatindicates the target location, such as a message indicating the GPScoordinates of a remote device from which medical support was requested,for instance. As such, the logic to actively determine what the targetlocation is for a given medical situation may be implemented at acomponent or component of a medical support system, such as an accesssystem and/or a dispatch system.

In another example embodiment, method 800 may be carried out by a systemsuch as system 400, which involves a computing system controlling analert device associated with fixed-location hardware.

A support system may determine and/or be provided with information thatthen can be used to determine the target location, or scene of asituation, in other ways. For instance, in some embodiments, part or allof the process of determining the target location could be automated or,in other words, performed without a need for human intervention. To thisend, the medical support system could utilize any suitableinformation-recognition technique, such as, for example, voicerecognition (when the notification is spoken) or character recognition(when the notification is typed), among other techniques now known orlater developed. As an example, consider a scenario where a bystandercalls “911” and says: “Somebody near me just collapsed! I'm at 123 MainStreet, Mountain View.” In this situation, an automated dispatch systemcould apply speech-to-text processing to analyze the bystander's wordsand determine the stated address therefrom.

Other types of location information may also be utilized to determinethe target location. For example, the medical support system may obtainlocation information from image data that is captured by a remote deviceat the scene of a medical situation, and sent from the remote device toa medical support system. For example, a notifier may use the camera oftheir mobile phone to capture and send video and/or still images to themedical support system, possibly in real-time. A component of a medicalsupport system could then analyze such image data to detect, e.g.,street signs and/or landmarks such as buildings or sculptures, which mayhelp to identify the location of a medical situation.

The above techniques for determining the approximate target locationassociated with a medical situation are provided for illustrativepurposes and not intended to be limiting. It should be understood thatother techniques may be used to determine the approximate targetlocation, without departing from the scope of the invention.

At block 806, a system may use various techniques to determine that analert device is located at the approximate target location. For example,if the alert device is present on a UAV and if the approximate targetlocation is the GPS coordinates of the remote device from which themedical situation was reported, then a UAV may use its GPS system todetermine when it has reached those GPS coordinates. Alternatively, theUAV may consider itself to have reached the approximate target locationwhen it is within a certain distance from the GPS coordinates (e.g.,within 100 feet).

As another example, if the approximate target location is a particularlandmark (e.g., a particular building, a stadium, a park, or a certainbeach), then a UAV may utilize its GPS system and/or anotherlocation-determination system in conjunction with mapping data todetermine when the UAV is located at or near a location that the mappingdata associates with the particular landmark. Such mapping data may beincluded in the data storage of a UAV, or may be provided to a UAV by aremote mapping server.

iv. Illustrative Application

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a scenario 900 in which example methods,such as method 800, could be implemented. As shown in scenario 900, aUAV 902 may be located at a deployment system 904, which may be on topof a firehouse 906. Further, UAV 902 may include an alert device 907.The alert device 907 includes both an audio alert and a visual alert,each of which may be activated by a remote user.

In scenario 900, a medical support system may receive a request from auser of a mobile phone 908 to provide medical support at a medicalsituation occurring in a house 910. When the request is received, themedical support system may obtain GPS coordinates indicating a location912 of the house 910. Note that in scenario 900, within the house 910 islocated at the scene of the medical situation. However, due toobstacles, such as the roof, walls, closed windows, and door of thehouse 910, the UAV 902 and/or the alert device 907 would have difficultyentering the house.

When the medical support system receives the request for medicalsupport, the medical support system may provide the GPS coordinatesreceived for the house 910 to the UAV 902. Accordingly, UAV 902 may setan area around location 912 to be an approximate target area 913 and usea navigation process to navigate to a location within the approximatetarget area 913.

When UAV 902 arrives at the approximate target area 913, UAV 902 mayeither land, containing the medical supplies for the medical situationand the alert device 907, or may release a package, such as thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 7, containing appropriate medicalsupplies for the medical situation, wherein the alert device 907 ispresent on the released package. Thus, the actual location of themedical supplies is some distance from the medical situation (e.g., 50feet away).

A remote operator, upon the occurrence of a trigger (e.g., landing ofthe UAV 802 on the ground), activates the alert device 907, which thenproceeds to issue both a visual alert 909 and an audio alert 911. Abystander outside of the house 910 may then notice the package, go tothe package, and either read instructions on a user interface on thealert device 907 or listen to audio instructions issued from a speakeron the alert device 907 regarding what to do with the package. Forexample, the instructions may indicate that the bystander should takethe package inside the house 910, whereby the bystander will go up to adoor on the house 910, ring the doorbell or knock on the door to attractthe attention of individuals within the house 910.

In this manner, alert device 907 is an effective way to get criticalpackages to a scene of a situation in an efficient manner. The alertdevice 907 is able to crowdsource bystanders in the vicinity of acritical package, without those bystanders having to subscribe orotherwise belong to an alert service or system. Thus, the alert device907 and methods described herein, such as method 800, are able to get acritical package or hardware from a location near a scene of a situationto the actual scene of the situation, quickly helping those in need.

Further, it should be understood that the above is but one of manypossible applications of an example method. Other applications are alsopossible.

VI. CONCLUSION

Where example embodiments involve information related to a person or adevice of a person, the embodiments should be understood to includeprivacy controls. Such privacy controls include, at least, anonymizationof device identifiers, transparency and user controls, includingfunctionality that would enable users to modify or delete informationrelating to the user's use of a product.

Further, in situations in where embodiments discussed herein collectpersonal information about users, or may make use of personalinformation, the users may be provided with an opportunity to controlwhether programs or features collect user information (e.g., informationabout a user's medical history, social network, social actions oractivities, profession, a user's preferences, or a user's currentlocation), or to control whether and/or how to receive content from thecontent server that may be more relevant to the user. In addition,certain data may be treated in one or more ways before it is stored orused, so that personally identifiable information is removed. Forexample, a user's identity may be treated so that no personallyidentifiable information can be determined for the user, or a user'sgeographic location may be generalized where location information isobtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level), so that aparticular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the user mayhave control over how information is collected about the user and usedby a content server.

The particular arrangements shown in the Figures should not be viewed aslimiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may includemore or less of each element shown in a given Figure. Further, some ofthe illustrated elements may be combined or omitted. Yet further, anexemplary embodiment may include elements that are not illustrated inthe Figures.

Additionally, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosedherein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilledin the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are forpurposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with thetrue scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Otherembodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in thefigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which arecontemplated herein.

We claim:
 1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: a navigationmodule that provides a navigation process to generate flight-controlsignals for the UAV; one or more supplies positioned on the UAV; analert device associated with the one or more supplies, wherein the alertdevice, when activated, emits at least one of an audio and a visualsignal to draw attention to the supplies; and a control systemconfigured to cause the UAV to: receive a transmission indicating asupply request at a designated location; determine an approximate targetarea associated with the designated location; in response to thedetermination that the one or more supplies are applicable to the supplyrequest, navigate from a launch site to the approximate target areaassociated with the designated location; in response to a determinationthat the UAV is located within the approximate target area, deliver theone or more supplies to a ground level location within the approximatetarget area; and in response to a determination that the one or moresupplies are positioned at the ground level location, activate at leastone alert on the alert device indicating that the one or more suppliesare available at the designated location of the supply request.
 2. TheUAV of claim 1, wherein the alert device displays instructions on a userinterface to deliver the supplies to the designated location of thesupply request.
 3. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the alert device displaysinstructions on a user interface regarding how to handle the suppliesassociated with the alert device.
 4. The UAV of claim 1, wherein a sceneof a supply request is known but is not immediately accessible by theUAV.
 5. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the at least one alert on the alertdevice includes a description of the type of supply request.
 6. A methodcomprising: receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicatinga supply request at a designated location; the computing systemdetermining an approximate target area associated with the designatedlocation; the computing system making a determination thatfixed-location hardware is located within the approximate target area,wherein the fixed-location hardware is maintained in a stationaryposition at a particular location when not in use, and wherein an alertdevice is positioned on the fixed-location hardware; the computingsystem making a determination that the fixed-location hardware isassociated with the supply request; the computing system determiningthat one or more supplies associated with the supply request have beendelivered to the approximate target area; and in response to thedetermination that the one or more supplies associated with the supplyrequest have been delivered to the approximate target area, thecomputing system activating at least one alert on the alert deviceindicating the availability of the one or more supplies at thedesignated location of the supply request.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the instructions to activate at least one alert on the alertdevice comprises instructions to activate a visual alert.
 8. The methodof claim 6, wherein the instructions to activate at least one alert onthe alert device comprises instructions to activate an audio alert. 9.The method of claim 6, wherein the instructions to activate at least onealert on the alert device comprises instructions to activate both avisual alert and an audio alert.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein theat least one alert on the alert device includes visually displayedinstructions regarding how to handle the fixed-location hardware.